Not edited.

Cori refused the offer of help from both men to help her get clean in the shower.

She needed some alone time.

Time to consider what they did to her, her body's reactions and whether she wanted more.

Confusion settled on her face as she stuck a hand under the streaming water to check the temperature.

Was any of this real?

The mess on her stomach and back suggested that this was more than real... but was it what ahe wanted?

The sting had gone from thw sunburn completely and because of her skin tone she was now only a dull shade of pink. By morning she'd have a nice golden tan... one she would have gladly done without.

Washing her hair was absolute bliss and the final remnants of smelling like a salad were washed away with the sweet smell of jasmine replacing it. Almost overpoweringly so until the suds washed away.

Her hands grabbed her ahower gel and her loofah and ahe stopped and looked down.

Relief!

The evidence had washed away. Having it over her was one thing but actually touching it... no, she wasn't ready to do that.

Washing herself down quickly she stopped as an acute sense of embarrassment washed over her when her body betrayed what she was doing and the sensitive skin responded to her touch in ways she never thought possible.

Was this how it would be?

A knock at the door found her jumping like she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"Dinner in ten sweetheart" Russell's voice came to her.

"Ok, be out in a moment."

She assumed that he'd left and ignored her body as she finished washing amd got out.

Drying quickly she realised that she'd forgotten to bring clothes in with her and groaned into the towel. She had to go out there just wrapped in a towel.

Opening the door she looked around quickly and sighed in relief to see the bedroom empty.

Deciding that she 'd wear another of the mens shirts she had she got out what she needed and put it and her panties on quickly before reaching for her brush.

"Damn that árse is sexy."

She gasped and turned to see Russell leaning with his arms folded against the door frame.

He smiled at her and then scowled slightly.

"Whose shirt?"

"Mine. I bought them."

"They didn't belong to someone else?"

Cori stared at him and grinned.

"You're jealous."

His gaze snapped to hers.

"Hell yes I'm jealous. I told you I don't share."

She watched as he stood up straight and walked towards her. His hand reached out and took the brush from her before he turned her and started brushing.

The gentleness of his hand almost had her groaning with sheer pleasure at how good it felt. Over amd over he worked her hair until every last tangle was gone.

He moved her hair to the side and kissed the side of her neck.

"Your ours Cori and the thought of you wearing another mans clothes..."

He stepped back and turned her to him.

"If you bought them then keep them. If not then get rid of them and Jax and I will give you ours to replace them."

"You know that's warped right?" her head turned to a slant as she watched him.

"Warped or not it's how I feel. I'm not expecting you to understand completely sweetheart but I need full commitment in a relationship."

"But Jax was with women" she pointed out.

"Jax needed that. He's young and well, unlike me he hasn't been in a completely committed relationahip at all. He's had moments but they've been over before anyone could blink. I understood his need for women. I had it as well but chose not to act until there was someone special who would be with both of us."

"I don't get it."

"Get what?"

"How you can stay away from women when you say you like them?"

"After what we did a little while ago you shouldn't be doubting that I like women... you to be precise" his tone was teasing while his expression held an almost dark offering of lust and desire.

She blushed and dropped her head and he chuckled.

"Don't be embarrassed. For someone without any experience you drove Jax and I both crazy with your resposes. Fûck sweetheart, just hearing you whimper makes me as hard as a rock" he pulled her into him and held her by the hips leavibg no doubt as to what he was thinking about.

"I want you sweetheart. Jax wants you..."

"But what if he decides it's just another moment? I don't know if I can be in a relationship with that sort of" she cringed "history... hanging over me."

"Every relationship is a risk. We want you... both together and separately. It's all about commitment and thinking about others at the same time as yourself. Can you do that?"

She thought for a moment, the implicartions of what he was saying running through her mind.

"How would it work? I mean, I'm about to start teaching little kids. I don't think their parents or the school board even would appreciate..."

"I have an idea" he stepped baxk from her while keeping hold of one of her hands "let's go have dinner and talk about it."

Cori followed. Not that she had a choice with him leading the way and with each step she couldn't help but find herself more and more intrigued.

Dinner was a quiet meal with Cori only speaking when she needed to. Russell and Jax kept looking at her and were left wondering just what was going on in her mind.

She couldn't help it. Sitting here at this table with two men didn't feel wrong at all. If she was honest then she'd admit that the soft touches they gave her throughout the meal made her feel needed; wanted in a way she'd never contemplated.

But could she trust that Jax would stay loyal? She didn't doubt Russell at all. Maybe it was his age, his previous marriage or maybe something else entirely but she trusted him.

She and Jax sat and listened to Russell's idea and knew it made sense to be the girlfriend of the younger man if she agreed to this relationship... so why didn't it feel like the best thing for her?

**********

DAMMIT! I can't believe I set out to write a typically clichéd book and this is slowly becoming anything but!

WHY CAN'T I WRITE CLICHÉS?

*sobs*